What is TOPIK? (한국어능력시험)
TOPIK stands for Test of Proficiency in Korean (한국어능력시험). It is the official Korean language exam run by South Korea's NIIED (National Institute for International Education). TOPIK certificates are widely used for university admission, employment in Korea, work visas, and immigration.
TOPIK I vs TOPIK II
TOPIK is split into two separate tests. You choose which one to take based on your current level.
| Test | Levels | For |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | 1, 2 | Beginners |
| TOPIK II | 3, 4, 5, 6 | Intermediate to advanced |
You don't simply pass or fail — your score determines your level. For example, scoring 145 on TOPIK I gives you Level 2; scoring 195 on TOPIK II gives you Level 5.
The 6 TOPIK Levels at a Glance
| Level | Belt | Vocabulary | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellow | ~800 words | Greetings, self-introduction, basic daily needs |
| 2 | Green | ~1,500–2,000 | Everyday conversation, simple expressions |
| 3 | Blue | ~3,000 | Familiar social and cultural topics |
| 4 | Brown | ~4,000–5,000 | News, general newspaper articles |
| 5 | Red | ~7,000 | Professional topics, politics, economy |
| 6 | Black | ~10,000+ | Near-native fluency across all topics |
Exam Format
TOPIK I (200 points total)
- Listening: 30 questions, 40 minutes
- Reading: 40 questions, 60 minutes
TOPIK II (300 points total)
- Listening: 50 questions, 60 minutes
- Writing: 4 questions, 50 minutes
- Reading: 50 questions, 70 minutes
Score Requirements per Level
| Test | Level | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | 1 | 80 / 200 |
| TOPIK I | 2 | 140 / 200 |
| TOPIK II | 3 | 120 / 300 |
| TOPIK II | 4 | 150 / 300 |
| TOPIK II | 5 | 190 / 300 |
| TOPIK II | 6 | 230 / 300 |
How to Start: The Belt Path
Korean Dojang's belt system maps directly onto the 6 TOPIK levels. Pick where to begin.
- Brand new to Korean? Start with Learn Hangul — master the alphabet first.
- TOPIK Level 1 → Yellow Belt
- TOPIK Level 2 → Green Belt
- TOPIK Level 3 → Blue Belt
- TOPIK Level 4 → Brown Belt
- TOPIK Level 5 → Red Belt
- TOPIK Level 6 → Black Belt
Study Tips That Actually Work
- Build vocabulary first. You can't pass TOPIK I without ~1,500 words. Daily flashcards beat marathon sessions.
- Drill past papers. Old TOPIK exams are public — pattern recognition is half the test.
- Listen every day. K-dramas, podcasts, K-pop lyrics — passive input compounds over weeks.
- Write a 3-sentence journal. TOPIK II writing is where most candidates lose points. Short and consistent wins.
Korean Dojang — Practice Korean from TOPIK Level 1 to 6, at your own pace.